Zhao Xintong is in first in the opening frame and is quickly up to a break of 51 without needing to do too much.

He opens a few more loose reds by potting a red from the cluster, although he's played a poor positional shot off the black and so has to play safe.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC One

I'm always a bit tinged with jealousy when I'm in the commentary box and not on the table, being able to savour the atmosphere and play in the final.

Zhao has been scintillating at winning frames in one visit at this championship. He misses very few easy shots and pots everything he's supposed to pot, which makes you so dangerous.

MC Rob Walker has introduced the two finalists to the Crucible Theatre, they've been photographed next to the trophy and we're close to getting the 2025 World Snooker Championship final under way.

Eight frames will be played in this first session.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC One

Mark Williams is 'half blind', has less hair these days and is still producing incredible snooker. He's stll knocking in the big pots and big breaks and playing with so much composure. The standard he is producing at his age is phenomenal.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC One

The feeling in the room here is weird, it's the calm before the storm and nobody knows what will happen. If Mark could do this, it would be an incredible story.

Once we saw Zhao win the UK Championship [in 2021], we knew he was special.

Once you get to this stage, you're playing on auto-pliot, I think both players will play fantastic snooker and we have no idea who is going to win it.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

Mark Williams finished last night against Judd Trump and he was unbelievable. How he keeps going is amazing but he doesn't seem to be tired. The adrenaline keeps you going.

I'm just wondering if the day off will help Zhao because this fella is the real deal. He's an unbelievable player.

All the pundits have been chatting and we don't know who will win this.

Who do you think will win the 2025 World Championship?

Have your say on this year's final using the methods above, and please include your name on correspondence.

We'll conduct a very unscientific straw poll too on this post - thumbs up if you think Mark Williams will be lifting the trophy, or down for Zhao Xintong.

BBC One

Watch live coverage of the first eight frames of the final on BBC One, the BBC iPlayer or by clicking on the "Watch and listen" tab at the top of this page.

The second session, containing nine frames, is scheduled to start at 19:00 BST and will be shown on BBC Two.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

The only previous occasion that Mark Williams faced Zhao Xintong in a World Championship match was in 2017, when he won 10-7 in the last 144.

The Welshman did not even reach the televised stages that year, losing 10-7 himself to Stuart Carrington in his third qualifying match to miss out on appearing at the Crucible for only the second time since 1997.

It was actually a match that Williams could not recall in his post-match press conference on Saturday evening, although he did remember another meeting between the duo.

"I played him in an exhibition when he was about 12, it was 1-1 and he knocked in 130 and 138 to beat me 3-1, the little so and so," Williams joked.

This is the seventh meeting between Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong.

Williams has a 4-2 lead, although Zhao has won the two most recent matches between the pair.

These two played each other during qualifying for the 2017 World Championship - Williams won 10-7 on that occasion.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

This really is some story for Mark Williams, who over recent years has shown his enduring class.

A decade ago he was entering and winning the World Seniors Championship and was insisting his best days were behind him.

He has won one world title and seven other ranking events since then and reached the final of the Masters in 2023.

Image source, PA Media

"I can't believe I'm in another final - I don't know how I'm doing to be honest."

That was Mark Williams' reaction to his 17-14 victory over world number one Judd Trump on Saturday.

At the age of 50, Williams is the oldest ever finalist at the Crucible.

His first appearance in a final came in 1999 - when his opponent in this year's final, Zhao Xintong, was just two years old.

The Welshman's first title came a year later and, a quarter of a century on, he is still in with a chance of a fourth.

The pivotal session of Zhao Xintong's semi-final win over Ronnie O'Sullivan came on Friday morning.

The pair had shared the first eight frames of their contest on Thursday, but Zhao broke the back of the match by winning all eight frames in the second session.

It was only the fourth time in 33 years that O'Sullivan had lost a session 8-0 at the Crucible.

Zhao Xintong has won eight matches to reach the World Championship final - four in qualifying and four at the Crucible.

At the semi-final stage, seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was beaten 17-7 with a session to spare.

History will be made in Sheffield over the next couple of days.

By the end of the first Crucible final to be played between two left-handers, either Mark Williams will become the oldest world snooker champion in history, or Zhao Xintong will be the first player from Asia - and snooker-mad China - to win the sport's biggest prize.

Four sessions, the best of 35 frames - let's find a new champion, shall we?

BBC Sport

The 2025 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

BBC Sport has comprehensive live coverage of the championship on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and Red Button, while every match will be shown in full on iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.

The final takes place over two days starting on Sunday 4 May.

To read the full guide for draws, results and coverage, click here.

Image source, Getty Images

Get Inspired
#GetInspired

Why get into snooker, billiards and pool?

They are non-contact, indoor sports which can be played competitively or socially.

Who is it for?

Snooker, billiards & pool are skilful games that can be played by anyone, regardless of age, gender or ability.

Is there a cheap option?

Many clubs allow you to borrow equipment and membership fees can be inexpensive.

Is it good for my health and wellbeing?

Cue sports provide a fun and sociable way to stay active, improve your concentration and increase your strength and muscle control.

Can I take it to another level?

Once you've mastered the skills, you could enter local league matches and amateur level competitions across the country.

Is there a disability option?

Cue sports are very inclusive as the rules and equipment are the same for able-bodied and disabled players.

Is there a family option?

Many clubs welcome junior members. You can also play in teams and use a handicap scoring system.

Snooker, billiards and pool all offer different challenges, but from pubs to clubs to competition, they offer an accessible option for anyone hoping to pick up a cue.

It shouldn't be hard to find somewhere to hone your skills. What's more, an official snooker club finder, external was launched in 2018 to help you find the perfect place to play.